Improvement in pavement-blocks



1. C. GODBIDEE, Jr.

Pavement-Blocks.

No 148 818 Patented March 24, i874.

Vin the apertures of the grating.

UNITED STATES JOHN O. GOODRIDGE, JR., OF BROOKLYN, NEW YORK.

IMPROVEMENT IN PAVEMENT-BLOCKS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 148,818. dated March 24, 1874; application filed J une 20, 1873.

ATo all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOHN C. GooDRIDGE, Jr., ot' the city of Brooklyn, county of Kings and State of New York, have invented a new and useful Improvement in an Article of Manufacture to be known as Tree-Gratin gs, of which the following is a specication:

The object of my invention is to make a pavement adapted to be used around trees, that will allow air and moisture to get to their roots, prevent the ground near them from getting packed, and at the same time allow the space around them to he used as a walk or way.

To make this, I first prepare an artificialpaste, which may be of any of the articial stone or concrete mixtures, but preferably of that material known as bton coignet, and manutactured under patents granted Francis Ooignet, of Paris, France, and numbered, respectively, 88,545, 88,546, 88,547, 88,548, 88,549, 98,035, 98,033, 98,034, and 99,062.

The artificial-stone paste or concrete,in a plastic state, is rammed into molds, in the bottom of which are inserted pieces of wood, or other material, of the size and shape desired The mold is then removed, and, after a sutlicient time is allowed for the material to thoroughly set, it is then placed in pieces ot' the required shape around the tree. The pavement can also be molded in the place where it is to be used, the molds and pieces being held in proper positions to preserve the open space by a wooden or metallic frame-work, which, when the material has been placed around them, can be removed, leaving the walk perforated. These perforations can be of any shape or size. A diameter of one to two inches is found to give the best results. Grooves may also be cut in the upper and lower sides of the pavement, allowing more easy escape for the water, and facilitate cutting away a portion ot' the stone as the tree enlarges.

This grating can be laid above the ground, supported at proper intervals, when it is desirable.

While more especially designed for trees, it can be used in water-closets, at boat-landings, and in all places where it is desirable to have a pavement dry and clean at all times, and not absorbing moisture.

It is also applica-ble as a combined grating and ballast for boats, tting close to the bottom, leaving a dry flooring, and saving the necessity of other ballast; being cheap, it can be thrown overboard when required, and in the event of a boat capsizing will discharge itself.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- A periorated pavement of artificial stone or concrete, as described, and adapted to the purposes set forth.

JOHN O. GOODRIDGE, JR.

In presence of- H. H. HALL, HENRY CASE. 

